Fun-da-Middles Review and Giveaway

I decided to join this group called My Blog Spark. They hook you up with trying new products, amongst other things.  They sent me a new product to try from Betty Crocker called Fun da-middles.  It's a cup cake with a creamy filling!  It's set to hit the shelves later this year!

They come in three different flavors.  Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Filling, Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Filling, and Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Filling.  

Also, They are going to give a free box to our lucky winner of this giveaway! Here is how you can enter.  Leave a comment letting me know about an upcoming event or gathering at which you would like to debut the new Betty Crocker Fun da-middles!  That's it, super easy. I'll randomly select a winner and your package will be mailed out in about a week.  The giveaway will last until Tuesday night!

Here is my review of the product. (the truth!)

I received the Vanilla cake with the vanilla filling to try. I actually really liked it.  I liked how easy it was to make.  It took about 5 minutes to whip up and then, fill the cup cake pans and bake. Super easy.  Its a fun twist to your normal cupcakes without the hastle of making them from scratch,  I give it a 10 for convenience!

Taste and texture... the center frosting was a little more "marshmellowie" than I expected. I think I would have liked it better with a little bit more creamy filling.   I really think I would like the other flavors better.  I like the idea of the chocolate filling with the vanilla cake. Chocolate just seems like it would be creamier to me.  But as for the taste... I liked it, I'd give it about an 8.

My husband liked them. He said "it's like making your own home made Twinky. Only better!"

You really don't need to frost them.  Just think of the frosting being on the inside.  But I frosted them anyway.  Who doesn't love frosting right? I'd say that I was actually pleasantly surprised with the product. I'm definitely going to be trying the other flavors. 

If you want more info on the product here's the websites for them.

• Betty Crocker’s Website http://bit.ly/mbsfunda
• Betty Crocker’s Facebook page http://bit.ly/mbsfundamiddles   

“Disclosure: The Betty Crocker Fun da-middles product, information, and giveaway have been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark.”

Rice Krispy Treats With a Twist

Rice Krispy Treats are one of those things where you just can't stop at one, for me.  I could eat a whole pan with out batting an eye.  I wanted to make something fun with my kids today and decided to get a little creative.  I usually like my krispy treats the plain ol' fashioned way, but I really liked these.  The main thing to remember is to refrigerate them before serving.  That way the chocolate gets a chance to solidify. I bet these would even be yummy at the just about frozen stage. If you like them messy, just eat them straight from room temperature. Either way... delectable!

Rice Krispy Treats With a Twist

3 Tbsp Butter

1 Bag of big marshmallows

6 cups Rice Rrispies

about 3 cups chocolate chips

1 cup toffee pieces (like heath)

In a pot, on medium heat, melt butter, and add marshmallows. Stir constantly until marshmallows are melted.  (be careful not to let them burn)  When melted, immediately remove from heat and stir in Rice Krispies. When well combined pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan (I use butter).  Press down firmly making sure that it spreads evenly.  

In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips.  (30 seconds, then stir.  Put in for 15 more seconds and stir... and continue at 15 second intervals until melted) 

Spread over the treats and top with toffee pieces

Tip:  To keep the mixture from sticking to your hands, coat hands with butter. 

Ranch Chicken

Another delicious and easy meal for ya! That's about all I have to say about that.  Enjoy

Ranch Chicken

1 container (16 oz) Sour Cream

1 Packet (3 tbsp) of Ranch Dressing Powder

salt and pepper

Chicken Breasts

Ritz Crackers

Mix ranch, sour cream, salt and pepper together and set aside. Crush about 2 packets of crackers and lay on a plate. Generously spread ranch dip over each side of the chicken breast.  Roll in cracker crumbs.  

 Bake at 350 for 45 min or until chicken is cooked through. 

Make sure to discard any extra ranch dip.  You are dealing with raw chicken after all!

Guacamole

A while back, we went to On the Border with the family and they ordered chips and Guacamole.  I decided to be brave and try some. I normally hate avocados.  Its a texture thing.  I loved it!!! I've never been able to find one that I liked since.  I tried to find a recipe that had in it, the same things that I remembered from the restaurant.  I found a few recipes and then created my own from it.  I like the different textures and flavors mixed in with it, rather than just avocado. Still not a huge fan of avocados. But, this recipe is helping me adapt :)  My husband absolutely loved it though! 

Guacamole



2 small avocados peeled and seeded

¼ cup cilantro (chopped fine)

½ tsp cumin

Salt and pepper (to taste)

1 tomato diced fine

½ tsp onion powder (more if desired)

1/2 tsp garlic powder (more if desired)

1 1/2 tbsp lime juice

Smash avocados with a fork and add all other ingredients.  Mix well. Serve immediately. 

Tip:  Avocados go brown pretty quickly.  The lime juice will help preserve it longer than normal. This is not a make ahead dish. It needs to be made as close to serving as possible. 

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ok I know I know, it's hot outside, quit with the soups already! But I love soups so much. It's a great way to get the kids to eat their veggies, if you have some picky ones. Soups make life so much easier!  You just throw it in the pot and let is simmer.  This one is even better because its done in the crock pot!  No heating the house!  You can cook it on the stove very easily. But if you have a crock pot... use it.  The flavors marry together so much more, its awesome!

This one is also a huge hit in my family!  Even for my littlest one.  If you do this one on the stove, I would cook the chicken ahead of time.  And simmer it on low for a while to let the flavors meld together.  If you are using a crock pot, just throw every thing in raw!

 Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup



1 can black beans, drained
1 can corn, drained
1 can (14.5 Oz) diced tomatoes

1 packet taco seasoning

1 1/2 C water
1 can (8 oz)tomato sauce
1 can (10 3/4 oz) cream of chicken soup
2 C milk
2-3 boneless chicken breasts

In crock pot, mix Taco seasoning, water, tomato sauce, soup, and milk. Add chicken, black beans (drained) Corn (drained) and tomatoes. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Take out chicken and shred or dice,(just before serving) then put back and stir it all together. Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, and/or tortilla chips.

this recipe comes from Blogger Buffet

Italian Herb Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is a huge hit in our house.  I love making my own flavors to go on top.  One of our favorites is this, Italian Herb Garlic Bread.  It gives your usual garlic bread a little twist.  Don't be intimidated by the name... It's super easy to make. You can always use fresh ingredients, but after making the main dish, I usually just want my sides, to be quick and easy.

All you need is a loaf of your favorite bread.  French bread works well and I think sour dough is our favorite.  You can also just use plain ol white bread or even hamburger/ hotdog buns that are leftover.  I haven't tried it with wheat yet, so if you do, let me know how it turns out. 

Italian Herb Garlic Bread

1 cube butter

1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 loaf of french bread or other bread

Melt butter and mix in other ingredients.  Brush over each slice of bread. (both sides) Grill on a griddle or frying pan until golden brown. You can also bake them on a cookie sheet at 375 until golden brown. Serve immediately.

Fruit Basket

Here's a cute way to spruce up your BBQ. You can add any fruit you like to it. The more color the better! They are so easy to make.  Get creative and have some fun!

Fruit Basket

1 watermelon

other fruits such as berries, cantaloupe, honey do grapes etc



First- slice the top half of the watermelon like this taking off the top 1/3.  Leaving at least an inch in the center for the handle.  (you can leave the handle off)

Hollow out the melon, including the piece under the handle.  Be careful with the handle, it will be very fragile. I like to use a spoon to hollow it out.  It also looks really cute to use a melon baller so that all of the pieces are the exact same size.  It doesn't have to be perfect, because you are going to fill it with fruit. 

To add some character... cut a v shape out of the entire edge giving it a decorative look.

Fill with your favorite fruit and serve chilled.